Govindaraja Temple, Tirupati

Hindu temple in India

Govindarajaswamy Temple, Tirupati

Rajagopuram of Sri Govindarajaswamy temple, Tirupati

Religion
Affiliation| Hinduism
District| Tirupati
Deity| moolavar: Govindaraja perumal, utsavar: Parthasarathy
Festivals| Brahmotsavam, Vaikuntha Ekadasi
Governing body| Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams
Location
Location| Tirupati
State| Andhra Pradesh
Country| India

Location in Andhra Pradesh

Geographic coordinates| 13°40′59.7″N 79°20′49.9″E﻿ / ﻿13.683250°N 79.347194°E﻿ / 13.683250; 79.347194
Architecture
Type| Dravidian architecture
Inscriptions| Telugu and Dravidian languages
Website
tirumala.org

Sri Govindarajaswamy Temple is an ancient Hindu Vaishnavite temple situated in the heart of Tirupati city in Tirupati district of Andhra Pradesh in India. The temple was built during 12th century and was consecrated in the year 1130 AD by Ramanuja as per the Vaikhanasa traditions, and the pancharatra jeeyar overseeing the divya prabandam recitation.[1] The temple is one of the earliest structures in Tirupati and also one of the biggest temple complexes in the district. The Tirupati (down hill) city is built around this temple. The temple is currently administered by Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams.[2]

## Legend

[edit]

It is believed that during invasion of Govindaraja Perumal Temple in Chidambaram, the Utsava murti (processional deity) was brought to Tirupati for safe keeping. The Utsava murti was taken back after the invasions.[2]

## History

[edit]

Govindaraja Temple was consecrated in the year 1130 AD by saint Ramanuja. However, there are structures inside the temple complex which belong to 9th and 10th centuries. Before Govindaraja was consecrated as the presiding deity, another form of Vishnu - Parthasarathy enjoyed that honour.[2] Kotturu, a village at the foot of Tirumala hills, was moved to the vicinity of Govindaraja Temple which was later merged into city of Tirupati.[3]

## Presiding Deity

[edit]

The temple is dedicated to the god Vishnu, who is referred to as Govindaraja-swamy. The deity is in reclining yoga nidra posture, facing east, with his right hand under his head and left hand straight over his body. Vishnu's consorts Sridevi and Bhudevi are seated at his feet. In some texts, Govindaraja is mentioned as the elder brother of Venkateshwara, a form of Vishnu whose chief temple is in Tirupati.

## Architecture

[edit]

The temple is one of the largest temple complexes in Andhra Pradesh.[citation needed] A 50 m high, seven-storied Rajagopuram was constructed on the east entrance of the temple by Matla Anantaraja, a local chieftain.[3] This structure has Ramayana scenes and portrait of Matla Anantaraja and his three wives carved onto the passage walls.[3] Towards the west of Rajagopuram, there are two enclosures of the temple, arranged one behind the other. The outer enclosure hosts sub shrines of the consort of Govindaraja - Pundarikavalli (a form of Lakshmi) and Alvars. The inner enclosure hosts the main shrine of Govindaraja along with shrines of Krishna with his consort, Andal. Towards south west corner of the inner enclosure, there is a shrine dedicated to Kalyana Venkateswara which had a mandapa with finely finished colonettes on the outerpiers and with central space lined with yalis projecting inwards. The pavilion in the middle had columns of grey green granite and wooden roof.[3]

Besides Govindaraja, the shrines of Parthasarathy (the former presiding deity) and Kalyana Venkateswara are considered religiously significant.

Govindaraja temple also has shrines of goddess Padmavati, Ramanuja and Andal near the entrance. There is a structure housing the Vishnu avatars to the right side of the entrance as like common in other Vishnu temples. There are also shrines dedicated to Chakratalwar, Lakshmi Narayana, Anjaneya and Tirumala Nambi.

## Administration

[edit]

The temple at present is being administered by Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams and follows the vaikhanasa vadakalai mode of worship, but the rights of the temple belong to the tenkalai jeeyar of Tirumala Thirupati. The tenkalai tradition has more influence here then other 2 temples.

## Gallery

[edit]

* Govindaraja temple in lights during brahmotsavams

* Govindaraja processional deity along with Sridevi and Bhudevi on Pedda sesha vahanam during brahmotsavams

* Unjal Mandapam of govindharaja Temple

* Matlaanantha Raju and his family at rajagopuram govindharaja Temple

* A four pillared Mandapam in front of Govindaraja Temple

* Rajagopuram of the temple

## See also

[edit]

* Hindu Temples in Tirupati
* List of temples under Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams
* Govindaraja Perumal Temple, Chidambaram

## References

[edit]

1. ^ Nair, Shantha (7 January 2014). Sri Venkateshwara by Shantha Nair. ISBN 9788184954456. Retrieved 10 February 2016.
2. ^ a b c "Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams - SRI GOVINDARAJASWAMI TEMPLE". Retrieved 10 February 2016.
3. ^ a b c d Nair, Shantha (7 January 2014). Sri Venkateshwara. ISBN 9788184954456. Retrieved 10 February 2016.

## External links

[edit]

* Tirumala Tirupathi Devasthanams

## External links

[edit]

* v
* t
* e

Tirupati

Hindu Temples|

* Venkateswara Temple
* Padmavathi Temple
* Govindarajaswamy Temple
* Kodandaramaswamy Temple
* Kalyana Venkateswara Temple
* Prasanna Venkateswara Temple
* Kapila Theertham Temple
* Vakula Mata Temple
* Varahaswamy Temple

Neighbourhoods|

* Alipiri
* Tiruchanur
* Chandragiri
* Renigunta
* Tirumala
* Tirupati (urban) mandal
* Tirupati (rural) mandal

Government|

* Tirupati district
* Tirupati Municipal Corporation
* Tirupati Urban Development Authority
* Tirupati revenue division
* Tirupati (Assembly constituency)
* Tirupati (Lok Sabha constituency)
* Tirumala Tirupati Devasthanams
* Andhra Pradesh Southern Power Distribution Company Limited

Buildings and Monuments|

* Ananda Nilayam
* Chandragiri Fort
* Vaikuntam Queue Complex
* Kalyani Dam
* Sri Venkateswara Museum

Tourist attractions|

* Hindu Temples in Tirupati
* Sri Venkateswara Zoological Park
* Chandragiri Fort
* Municipal Park
* Papavinasanam

Economy|

* Sri Venkateshwara Mobile and Electronics Manufacturing Hub

Higher education|

* Indian Culinary Institute, Tirupati
* IISER Tirupati
* IIT Tirupati
* National Sanskrit University
* Sri Padmavati Mahila Visvavidyalayam
* Sri Venkateswara College of Law
* Sri Venkateswara Institute of Medical Sciences
* Sri Venkateswara Medical College
* Sri Venkateswara University
* Sri Venkateswara Vedic University
* Sri Venkateswara Veterinary University
* SVIMS - Sri Padmavathi Medical College for Women

Healthcare|

* Sri Venkateswara Ramnarain Ruia Government General Hospital
* Sri Venkateswara Institute of Medical Sciences
* Government Maternity Hospital, Tirupati

Transport|

| Air|

* Tirupati Airport

|

Rail|

* Tirupati railway station
* Renigunta Junction railway station
* Chandragiri railway station
* Tiruchanur railway station
* Tirupati West Halt railway station

Road|

* Tirupati bus station complex
* Tirumala ghat roads
* NH 71
* NH 140

Cuisine|

* Tirupati laddu

Festivals|

* Srivari Brahmotsavam
* Tirupati Ganga Jatara

Geography|

* Silathoranam
* Sapthagiri
* Venkatadri
* Eparchaean Unconformity
* Seshachalam Hills

Flora and Fauna|

* cycas beddomei

River|

* Swarnamukhi River

National parks|

* Sri Venkateswara National Park

Media|

* SVBC
* Sapthagiri (magazine)

Other topics|

* Tirupati International Cricket Stadium

Other topics|

* List of cities in India
* List of cities by population

* v
* t
* e

Hindu temples in Andhra Pradesh

Anantapur|

* Bugga Ramalingeswara Temple
* Chintala Venkataramana Temple
* Veerabhadra Temple, Lepakshi

Chittoor|

* Kanipakam Vinayaka Temple
* Ardhagiri Temple
* Boiyakonda Gangamma Temple
* Konetirayala Temple, Keelapatla
* Pallikondeswara Temple, Surutapalli
* Venugopalaswamy Temple, Karvetinagaram

East Godavari|

* Annavaram
* Bhavanarayana Temple, Sarpavaram
* Biccavolu
* Draksharama
* Kodandarama Temple, Gollala Mamidada
* Kotipalli
* Kumararama
* Kukkuteswara Temple
* Lakshmi Narasimha Temple, Antarvedi
* Mandavya Narayana Temple
* Mukteswaram
* Pithapuram
* Sripada Srivallabha Temple
* Suryanarayana Temple, Gollala Mamidada
* Talupulamma Lova
* Tholi Tirupati

Guntur|

* Amaralingeswara Temple
* Bhavanarayana Swami Temple
* Chebrolu
* Kotappakonda
* Lakshmi Narasimha Temple, Mangalagiri
* Venkateswara Temple, Tenali

Kadapa|

* Gandi Anjaneya Temple
* Kodandarama Temple, Vontimitta
* Narapura Venkateswara Temple, Jammalamadugu
* Pushpagiri Temple Complex

Krishna|

* Andhra Maha Vishnu
* Jaladheeswara Temple
* Kanaka Durga Temple
* Paritala Anjaneya Temple
* Peddintlamma Temple, Kolletikota

Kurnool|

* Ahobilam
* Kambagiri
* Koulutla Chenna Kesava Temple
* Mantralayam
* Sangameswara Temple, Kurnool
* Srisailam
* Yaganti

Nellore|

* Kodandarama Temple, Buchireddipalem
* Penchalakona
* Ranganatha Temple, Nellore

Prakasam|

* Gangamma Temple, Dhenuvakonda
* Tripurantakam

Srikakulam|

* Arasavalli Sun Temple
* Kurmanathaswamy temple, Srikurmam
* Mukhalingam
* Ranganatha Temple, Vavilavalasa

Tirupati|

* Venkateswara Temple, Tirumala
* Padmavathi Temple
* Srikalahasteeswara temple
* Alipiri Padala Mandapam
* Govindaraja Temple, Tirupati
* Kapileswara Temple, Kapilatheertham
* Kodandarama Temple, Tirupati
* Kalyana Venkateswara Temple, Srinivasamangapuram
* Prasanna Venkateswara Temple, Appalayagunta
* Vedanarayana Temple, Nagalapuram
* Kalyana Venkateswara Temple, Narayanavanam
* Varahaswamy Temple, Tirumala

Visakhapatnam|

* Devipuram Temple
* ISKCON Temple Visakhapatnam
* Kali Temple
* Balighattam
* Nookambika Temple
* Padmanabham
* Simhachalam Temple
* Someswara Swamy Temple
* Sri Kanaka Maha Lakshmi Temple
* Sri Sampath Vinayagar Temple

Vizianagaram|

* Ramanarayanam
* Ramatheertham
* Punyagiri

West Godavari|

* Somaramam, Bhimavaram
* Dwaraka Tirumala
* Kotasattemma Temple
* Ksheerarama
* Maddi Anjaneya Temple
* Sivadevuni Chikkala
* Veerabhadra Temple, Pattiseema

*[v]: View this template
*[t]: Discuss this template
*[e]: Edit this template